2026 Ford Ranger: Everything You Need To Know
Think Ford, think Fiesta... or Focus... or Sierra... or Transit. Think Model T, so long as it’s black. In fact, Ford products have been so synonymous and successful over the years that it’s hard to think which is the most significant.
But that’s a history lesson. If you’re asking what the most significant Ford on sale right now is, then this – the Ford Ranger – is probably it.
Which might come as a surprise. After all, a pick-up truck doesn’t scream ‘conventional car choice’, but the Ranger is currently the dominant player in its segment across Europe... and has been for a decade now.
In fact, in Europe the Ford Ranger held a massive 43.6 per cent market share of all pick-up trucks sold in 2024, a figure that could increase for 2025 based on a series of updates introduced in the last 12 months. Moreover, it’s also the best-selling ‘ute’ in Australia, a country that knows a good pick-up truck when it sees one.
Plus, pick-up trucks DO scream ‘conventional car choice’ in the United States, where Ford has ruled the roost for decades with its F-150, so much so it ranks comfortably as the best-selling vehicle of all-time.
Point is, pick-up trucks are a big deal for Ford, so it’s just as well that not only is the Ranger supremely popular, it’s also considered the class standard for rivals like the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and KGM Musso to challenge.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the 2026 Ford Ranger.
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The Ford Ranger Range - Now With Added... Range
While the nameplate has been around for a while, the Ford Ranger as we know it today in Europe has been on sale since 2011.
In a global context, the Ranger is regarded as a mere mid-size pick-up truck, something that will ring true for anyone that has visited the United States and shared the same piece of road with one of the many enormous ‘trucks’ that you’ll find there.
However, at over five-metres long in its current guise, the Ranger is – by European standards – massive, a mighty presence Ford has played on in recent years with a series of updates that have transformed it into a muscular, beefy vehicle that makes a Range Rover look tame.
It’s just one of the Ranger’s impressive traits and helped contribute to its runaway success in recent years, so it’s little surprise Ford hasn’t tinkered too much with the winning formula on the surface.
What it has done is introduce new updates here and there – fresh colours and trim designations for 2026, for instance – but it did gain a major new addition in 2025 with the launch of the Ford Ranger PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid).
A way to cut out those harmful diesel emissions without impacting the Ranger’s practicality, pulling torque and payload capabilities, the PHEV introduces (some) electric power to the line-up for the first time.
While range is limited to 27-miles, it is designed to contribute to the Ranger’s performance and even off-road ability, before settling into a zero-emissions state on the road.
Ford Ranger: New for 2026
Eventually, the Ranger PHEV will become the dominant factor in the line-up, but for now it’s offered alongside a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel alternative.
At the top of the year, Ford announced a shake-up of the Ranger options, the most significant of which was the discontinuation of the entry-level 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine offered in XL, XLT, Tremor, Wildtrak and Wildtrak X trims.
Ford has also simplified the range by removing XL, Tremor, Wildtrak X and Stormtrak trims, the latter of which was a limited-time launch-edition to coincide with the arrival of the PHEV powertrain.
As such, the remaining trim and engine combinations are XLT (3.0TD, PHEV), Limited (PHEV), Wildtrak (3.0TD, PHEV), Platinum (3.0TD, PHEV) and MS-RT (3.0TD).
The manufacturer has also paused sale of the Single Cab variant, meaning – for now at least – the Ranger is available only as a Double Cab.
2026 Ford Ranger: Dimensions, Loads & Body Styles
As mentioned above, the 2026 Ford Ranger is currently only available in the more lifestyle-oriented Double Cab body style.
It means the Isuzu D-Max is the only pick-up truck on sale in the UK in a two-seat commercial vehicle-friendly Single Cab. This is significant as it means it’s the only UK pick-up truck not subject to the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax changes introduced in April 2025.
Back to the Ranger and despite the loss of the Single Cab – which offered superior weight-carrying capacity and load size by virtue of it foregoing a rear compartment – the five-seat Double Cab remains the standard in this particular segment for size and payload.
Stand alongside the Ranger and its sheer size at 5370mm in length is undeniable – more so if you’re trying to squeeze it into a parking space at the supermarket.
The flipside, however, is a spacious load box measuring 1638mm in length at floor level, while it is wide enough to accommodate a Euro pallet as well.
In terms of size, the load box is the largest in the pick-up truck class right now, but it’s the attention to detail that sets the Ranger apart from its rivals. For one, there is a rear bumper step that makes accessing the load bed much easier, while the optional load-management system includes cleats and tie-down points to keep your load stable.
Payload capacity is a strong suit too with the diesel XLT trim offering a superior maximum of 1098kg, which is better than most and not far off the class standard (KGM Musso – 1205kg).
More importantly, every model in the Ranger line-up offers comfortably plus-one tonne of payload, including the PHEV models, which are just as sturdy and require no compromise versus their diesel counterparts.
There is also no disparity in the towing capacity, with each Ranger capable of hauling 3500kg.
2026 Ford Ranger: Engine, Performance & Powertrains
The removal of the entry-level 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine choices means it is now a straight decision between the 3.0-litre turbodiesel and the plug-in hybrid on the Ford Ranger.
The most popular XLT, Wildtrak and Platinum trims offer the choice of both, while Limited is only available as PHEV and the bonkers MS-RT (which we will come to...) is turbodiesel only.
The PHEV models comprise a 2.3-litre petrol engine working alongside an 11.8kWh battery, which is then mated to the same 10-speed automatic transmission that is available with the turbodiesel.
Incidentally, the 2.3-litre engine is the same that can be found in the Ford Focus ST hot hatch, which gives a hint of the grunt available at your feet once you open it up.
Indeed, the PHEV is certainly powerful at 277bhp, but it is the pulling power – some 697Nm of torque – that you’ll notice the moment you plunge the throttle, the engine and battery working in tandem to give the Ranger PHEV an almighty thrust in a straight line.
Ultimately, however, the battery is intended to give the Ranger some frugality for day-to-day use on the occasions you’re just pootling around town or going to the supermarket. While range might look limited at 27-miles (around 20-miles in real-world simulations), Ford says it has calculated that this sufficiently covers the daily distances traversed by most Rangers.
The positive impact can be seen in the official figures – 89mpg of fuel economy, 71g/km CO2 emissions.
It should be noted, however, that these WLTP figures take into account an average of engine-driving and zero-emission battery driving. Depending on how you use your Ranger PHEV will ultimately determine the figures it returns, so it pays to do your sums.
Point is, if you have access to charging facilities (about four hours for a full charge) and you’re not pounding the motorway or doing long distances regularly, the PHEV works as a low-speed daily driver without giving up any ability in the rough stuff for when that’s needed.
If you’re more likely to be covering the miles, the 3.0-litre turbodiesel makes for the better alternative with its better fuel range. Though not as frugal, it is quick and refined enough to make the Ranger feel more like an SUV than a more agricultural pick-up truck.
2026 Ford Ranger: Specification, Features & Safety
For 2026, the Ford Ranger line-up has slimmed to five trim levels, including the flagship MS-RT, which gets special bodywork, colours and upholstery to reflect its image as the ‘sporty’ alternative.
Standard equipment on the Ford Ranger XLT, includes:
- Dual zone air-conditioning
- 12-inch multifunction display
- 6-way adjustable seating
- Steering wheel mounted controls
- Electric windows (front and rear)
- 6 speakers
- Conventional tailgate
- Tie-down hooks
- Splash guards
- Electric mirrors
- Daytime running lights
- Rear fog lamps
- ABS/ESP
- Reverse brake assist
- Collision mitigation system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind spot detection
- Reverse/Front parking aid
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Stop/start system
- Front/passenger/side airbags
- Alarm
Standard equipment on the Ford Ranger Limited (in addition to XLT), includes
- Assisted conventional tailgate
- Painted grille
- Electric, heated door mirrors
- Rain sensitive windscreen wipers
- Privacy glass
- Heated driver and passenger seats
- Electrically adjustable driver’s seat
- Front towing hooks
- 360-degree lighting
- Wireless charging
Standard equipment on the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (in addition to Limited), includes:
- Honeycomb radiator grille
- Accent colour front bumper
- Front fog lamps
- Metal underbody protection
- Sport leather stitched steering wheel
- 360-degree camera
- Traffic sign recognition
- Ambient LED interior lighting
Standard equipment on the Ford Ranger Platinum (in addition to Wildtrak), includes:
- Dampened assisted conventional tailgate
- Painted grille
- Body colour door mirrors
- Silver matte step bar
- Heated washer jets
- Heated and vented seats
- 10-way electric adjustable seats
- Leather steering wheel
- 8 speakers
- Highway assist
- 20-inch alloy wheels
Standard equipment on the Ford Ranger MS-RT, includes:
- MS-RT front/rear bumper
- MS-RT door mirrors
- MS-RT sports side skirt
- MS-RT cab spoiler
- MS-RT tailgate spoiler
- MS-RT heated driver and passenger seat pack
- MS-RT rear centre head restraint
- MS-RT rear seat pack
- MS-RT sport heated leather stitched steering wheel
- MS-RT wheel pack
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